Approximately half of shops surveyed in Limerick and Clare were found to have sold cigarettes to 16-year-old minors, a new survey reveals.
Some 39 of 77 (51 per cent) outlets visited by Mid Western Health Board officials in Limerick city and county were found not to be complying with the law.
A similar random compliance check carried out in Clare showed that 32 of the 65 premises visited, or 49 per cent, sold cigarettes to a 16-year-old minor.
The health board has now written to all shops in Limerick and Clare reminding them of their responsibilities under the legislation, that cigarettes cannot be sold to persons under 18 years of age.
Appropriate signs have been distributed to every shop and formal cautions have been issued to non-compliant retail outlets.
Meanwhile, the Mid Western Health Board has given responsibility for tobacco control enforcement to three senior environmental health officers in advance of the introduction of the smoking ban.